Changeable week ahead

It has been a settled week with plenty of sunshine and warm afternoon temperatures following on from coolish nights. This has allowed for some welcome drying and no doubt improved the outlook for many farmers. Dairy calving is almost over and lambing is in full swing in some regions and any newly born livestock would have also been enjoying the more pleasant conditions.

It is still reasonable across much of the country today, thanks to the high to the east of us and a milder northeast flow. However, all good things must come to an end as the high pulls further away over the South Pacific and an incoming trough approaches the country.

A front with a band of rain and preceded by strong to gale northeasterlies crosses most of the country tomorrow morning, and there are Severe Weather Warnings and Watches current for heavy rain and strong winds.

“The top half of the North Island is the most likely area to experience the rain and wind, and it has already been gusting 115 km/hr at Cape Reinga” says Forecaster Cameron Coutts, “but Nelson and Westland could also see heavy rain with this system”.

A changeable pattern sets in for the rest of the week with low centres passing across the country from time to time, while high pressure staying to the far south. Long fine spells are still likely, but it is looking cooler and cloudier for the east of the South Island from Wednesday as a moist southeasterly pattern develops.

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